The National Election Commission (EC) has announced that the notice calling for nominations for 340 Local Government Institutions will be released by District Secretaries today. 

The nominations will be accepted by relevant district returning officers from registered political parties and independent groups on the 14th day of notice of nomination until noon of the following day.

The notice will include the date of accepting nominations, location, bonds, candidates, female representation and other relevant information. Local Government institutions will have to be set up by 20 March and the election will have to take place before 10 March for the purpose. 

Despite accusations against the Government and the EC of attempting to delay polls, EC Chief Nimal Punchihewa had previously assured that the notice calling for nominations will be issued in the first week of January. 

Explaining the decision to issue the Gazette in January instead of December Punchihewa said it was determined through calculations done on the stipulated days needed to call for nominations, handing over of nominations, campaigning and other activities that the first week of January was most suitable for the purpose. 

The 2022 electoral register that has just been completed by the ECSL will be used for the upcoming Local Government polls. 

The total number of registered voters eligible to vote are 16,692,398. Around 200 000 officials will be deployed for election duties.

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